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AGENCY FINANCIAL REPORT
FISCAL YEAR 2015
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
This Page Left Blank Intentionally
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
1
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OVERVIEW
The Department of Defense is charged with the mission to ensure the security of the
United States and its citizens, or as phrased in the Constitution, to “provide for the common
defense.” The Department of Defense is committed to protecting the people of the
United States, defending our national interests, and providing America’s military with the
resources to accomplish its mission.
Today, the context in which we provide
this security is extremely challenging. Global
disorder has increased, while some of the
military advantages we have traditionally
enjoyed have started to erode, for example
through the rapid technological change
enjoyed by both state and non-state
adversaries. Violent extremist organizations
continue to deny vulnerable populations
their right to live in security and at peace,
and some states provide support to such
organizations or otherwise seek to challenge
international norms.
The Department maintains a force that is
second-to-none in the world and serves as a
bulwark to keep the nation secure in the
face of these challenges. This force exists
because of the men and women who choose
to serve in order to guarantee the security
and the freedoms of their fellow citizens. The
Department has an obligation to ensure they
are properly trained and equipped.
The Department sets its strategic direction through the Quadrennial Defense
Review (QDR), which was provided to Congress in March 2014. The QDR is a
legislatively-mandated report, issued every four years, that evaluates the threats and
challenges to our enduring national interests that the nation will likely confront over the
next 20 years. It is the key strategic document against which the Department’s priorities
and requests for resources are aligned. The QDR, consistent with the President’s National
Security Strategy, affirms the global leadership role of the United States and sets a course
that will help bring the military into balance over the next decade. The QDR outlines the
Department’s strategic priorities which include: rebalancing our focus and our forces to the
Asia-Pacific region to preserve peace and stability; maintaining a strong commitment to
security and stability in Europe and the Middle East; and sustaining a global approach to
countering violent extremists and terrorist threats, with an emphasis on the Middle East and
Africa. It highlights the importance of strengthening our alliances and partnerships globally.
Ash Carter
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
2
The Asia-Pacific is a defining region for our nation’s future. Half the world’s population
will live there by 2050. The progress enjoyed in this region since World War II has been
enabled by a peaceful security environment, which has been shaped by our enduring
presence and commitments. As our allies and partners continue to experience rapid social
and economic progress, we increasingly look to build their capacities.
The Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific remains a key component of the Department’s
strategy. While a peaceful rise of China is welcome, its actions in the South China Sea are
increasingly at odds with international norms. Faced with North Korea’s acts of cross-border
provocation, and its pursuit of long-range missiles and weapons of mass destruction, we are
committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The Department will
maintain a robust footprint in Northeast Asia while enhancing our presence in Oceania and
Southeast Asia.
Given our deep and abiding interests in a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace,
President Putin’s continued aggression towards Ukraine and illegal annexation of Crimea is
an unwelcome strategic development. The Department is working with U.S. allies and
partners to promote regional security as part of a strong and balanced approach to Russia.
We are supporting Ukraine’s armed forces, and have committed millions of dollars of
non-lethal material and assistance.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) remains a cornerstone of European
security. The last year has been a significant one in the history of the alliance given
changing dynamics in European security. We are helping NATO turn its attention to
deterring an increasingly aggressive Russia as well as addressing insecurity on NATO’s
southern flank after a long period of focus on Afghanistan. In light of these significant
challenges, NATO leaders have agreed to powerful steps: doubling the number of military
exercises in the past year, setting up new command centers, and establishing the Very High
Readiness Joint Task Force. The United States has continued to participate in military
exercises throughout the Baltic Republics, Poland, and other front-line states. In doing so,
the United States and our allies have upheld our commitment to collective self-defense.
In Afghanistan, the U.S. strategy is to continue building the capacity of the Afghan
government as a reliable defense partner, and to protect U.S. national security interests in
the region. Afghanistan’s government of national unity is now fully responsible for the
security of its people and is moving ahead on a reform agenda. Approximately 9,800 U.S.
forces are focused on training, advising, and assisting the Afghan National Defense and
Security Forces (ANDSF) as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission, as well as
conducting a counterterrorism mission. The Department will continue to finance the
sustainment and professionalization of the ANDSF of up to 352,000 personnel through 2017.
The Middle East is undergoing a period of great social and political turmoil. The
United States, with a coalition of allies and partners, is engaging in a long-term campaign to
degrade and deal a lasting defeat to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). To
achieve a lasting defeat of ISIL requires a “whole of government” effort, and of the nine
lines of efforts that underpin the campaign, the Department leads just two: Denying ISIL
Safe Haven and Building Partner Capacity. The Department’s personnel remain committed
to building the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces to defend their homeland and deny ISIL
safe haven. This is challenging to achieve, but ISIL’s lasting defeat requires local forces to
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
3
prevail on the ground. We also continue to provide critical support to our partners in the
region in an effort to bolster their defenses and enable their activities and operations aimed
at countering ISIL. We are doing all this in the context of a 60-plus nation coalition.
Although all our long-standing problems with Iran are far from resolved, the nuclear deal
agreed to with the international community represents a detailed arrangement to
permanently prohibit Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. While welcoming the positive
conclusion of diplomatic negotiations, we will continue to ensure Israel’s qualitative military
edge and work with our Gulf partners to make them more capable of defending themselves
against external aggression.
Against this backdrop of emerging challenges to U.S. national interests, the Department
is resetting and reconstituting the Joint Force after 13 years of war. The Department
continues to make key investments in the future force, with an emphasis on restoring
readiness, balancing the force, and achieving institutional reform. We are placing a greater
emphasis on research and development to help us maintain our competitive edge. We are
also prioritizing investments in key strategic capabilities, namely nuclear deterrence; space
systems; power projection; missile defense; cyber capabilities; and intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance.
We will also draw from the brightest innovators within the commercial sector to find
technologies that will give troops an edge on the battlefield of the future, and the pace at
which we have established a presence in Silicon Valley exemplifies our determination to
infuse Defense with non-traditional talent and leading edge technology.
Finally we must show that we are taking effective action to make the best possible use
of every taxpayer dollar. That means we must strive to manage the Defense enterprise
efficiently and effectively, and to reform our business and acquisition practices. These
efforts are imperative to maintain readiness on all fronts for both the geopolitical challenges
we know about today, and those to come.
A soldier assigned to the California Army National Guard’s
Company B, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, observes
a bambi bucket dropping water onto the Rocky Fire near Clear
Lake, Calif. During the crew’s 2.5-hour firefighting mission, they
conducted 18 water drops.
Photo by Sgt. Jason Beal
The USS Chung-Hoon, USS Mobile Bay and USS Russell
follow the USS John C. Stennis during a show of force as they
transit in the Pacific Ocean. Sailors conduct composite training
and joint task force exercises as the final step in certifying to
deploy.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andre T.
Richard
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
4
RESOURCES
The FY 2015 Department of Defense budget balanced capacity, capability, and readiness
to protect the security interests of the United States within the funding constraints of the
Bipartisan Budget Agreement. The key themes in the FY 2015 budget were:
Seek a balanced force within available resources;
Prepare for prolonged readiness challenges;
Continue to focus on institutional reform;
Pursue compensation changes; and
Pursue investments in military capabilities.
The DoD FY 2015 enacted discretionary budget authority totaled $560.5 billion,
composed of $496.3 billion in the base budget, $64.2 billion in support of Overseas
Contingency Operations (OCO), and $0.1 billion for other emergency funding. Figure 1
displays the DoD FY 2015 budget authority by Title.
Despite decreasing resources, the Department must continue to maintain its decisive
technological edge. In FY 2015, the Department invested in emerging military capabilities,
such as new and expanded cyber capabilities, nuclear deterrence, space, precision strike,
and operationally responsive and persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
assets.
The Department also continued
investments in modernization efforts to
ensure that U.S. military forces are equipped
with the most technologically innovative
weapons available. For ground forces, this
includes the development of the Armored
Multi-Purpose Vehicle and the Joint Light
Tactical Vehicle. For maritime forces, the
FY 2015 request included funding for two
Virginia-class fast attack submarines and two
DDG-51 AEGIS destroyers, in addition to
funding to continue construction of the
U.S.S. John F. Kennedy and procurement of
three Littoral Combat Ships. For air
dominance, the budget included development
and production of three different variants of
the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter; the next
generation aerial refueling tanker, the
KC-46A; the Navy’s advanced E-2D Hawkeye
fleet defense aircraft; and the multi-mission
P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft. To protect the
homeland and regional forces, the budget included continued development and fielding of
ballistic missile defense systems. The budget also put emphasis on innovation by providing
$12 billion for science and technology efforts.
Figure 1. DoD FY 2015 Budget
Authority
Totals may not agree due to rounding.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
5
We continue to pursue institutional reforms to reduce the cost of doing business. By
controlling support costs and generating efficiencies, we have prioritized spending on
combat power. These efficiency initiatives include reductions in Headquarters budgets
across the Department, beginning with the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We also have
implemented acquisition reform efforts, most notably through the Better Buying Power
initiatives that seek to achieve affordable programs by controlling costs, incentivizing
productivity and innovation in industry and government, eliminating unproductive
bureaucracy, promoting effective competition, and improving the professionalization of the
acquisition workforce.
The force structure reductions that began with the FY 2013 budget continue. In
accordance with the revisions to the January 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, the FY 2015
budget reflected the choices made to achieve a modern, ready, and balanced force to meet
the full range of potential military requirements. The Army and Marine Corps, in particular,
made progress toward achieving their targeted active end states of 450,000 and 182,000,
respectively.
Reserve Components are an important element of the Total Force, and the Department
is focused on optimizing the active/reserve force mix and sustaining their readiness at
appropriate levels. The reserves are trained, ready, and cost-effective forces that can be
employed on a periodic operational basis while ensuring strategic surge capabilities for
large-scale contingencies or other unanticipated national crises.
We recognize the demands that continue to be placed on the all-volunteer force and
members’ families who give so much to defend the ideals and free institutions we often take
Two E-2D Hawkeye aircraft conduct a test flight near St. Augustine, Fla.
Photo courtesy of Northrop-Grumman
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
6
for granted. Their dedication reminds us that preserving America’s liberties often comes
with a heavy cost. We keep faith by supporting a variety of Military Family Assistance
programs designed to improve military life, such as child care, non-medical counseling, and
Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs. The military healthcare system provides services
to 9.5 million beneficiaries, including military retirees and their families, dependent
survivors, and certain eligible Reserve Component members and their families. We seek to
control healthcare costs and reasonable health care benefit reform as part of a balanced
approach to cost containment, which is essential to fund the warfighting capabilities needed
to maintain the Joint Force and to send our personnel into combat with the best possible
training and equipment.
LOOKING FORWARD
Against the unexpected geopolitical developments of Russian aggression, ISIL activism,
North Korean provocation, and broader geopolitical turmoil across the Middle East region,
the strategic priorities identified in the Quadrennial Defense Review 2014 remain our
Department’s priorities: rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific region, maintaining a strong
commitment to security and stability in Europe and the Middle East, sustaining a global
counterterrorism campaign, strengthening key alliances and partnerships, and prioritizing
key modernization efforts.
We are at a pivotal moment in the post-Cold War world. Russia is modernizing both its
nuclear and its conventional military capabilities, and updating its warfighting doctrine.
While China’s rise is welcomed, its increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea is out of
step with international norms and increasing demand for our engagement in the Asia-Pacific
region. Meanwhile, the military’s technological edge, which we have relied upon for so long,
is eroding. This is a major strategic challenge facing not only the Department, but also,
America’s leadership in the world.
To maintain our warfighting dominance, the Department has launched the Defense
Innovation Initiative and Third Offset Strategy, an ambitious Department-wide effort
overseen by Deputy Secretary Work to identify and invest in innovative ways to sustain and
advance America’s military dominance for the 21st century.
As reflected in the QDR, the current strategic and budgetary environment compels us to
think creatively about how we can restore the readiness of the force, while we remain
globally engaged. The Department seeks to achieve full spectrum combat readiness by
FY 2023 for the Army and the Air Force, the Navy’s fleet response plan by 2020, and the
Marine Corps’ Force Posture Plan by 2020.
Finally, we will be looking to preserve our most enduring and competitive advantage –
our people. Under the Force of the Future Initiative, the Department intends to improve the
recruitment and retention of the brightest and most committed young men and women and
make Defense the most rewarding environment it can be, for those who choose to serve.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
7
ORGANIZATION
The Department of Defense maintains and uses armed forces to support and defend the
Constitution and ensure the security of the United States, its possessions, and areas vital to its
interest. This mission depends on our military and civilian personnel and equipment being in the
right place, at the right time, with the right capabilities, and in the right quantities to protect our
national interests. This has never been more important as America fights terrorists who plan
and carry out attacks outside the traditional boundaries of the battlefield.
The Department is one of the nation’s
largest employers, with civilians,
personnel on active duty, and the
Selected Reserve of National Guard and
Reserve forces. Our military service
members and civilians operate in every
time zone and in every climate. There
also are more than 2 million military
retirees and family members receiving
benefits.
The Department’s real property
infrastructure includes over 562,000
facilities (buildings and structures)
located on 4,800 sites worldwide covering
over 24.9 million acres. To protect the
security of the United States, the
Department operates 14,597 aircraft and
284 Battle Force ships.
The Secretary of Defense is the
principal assistant and advisor to the President in all matters relating to the Department,
and he exercises authority, direction, and control over the Department. The Department
currently is composed of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, the Joint Staff, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (DoD
IG), the Military Departments, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, the
Combatant Commands, and such other offices, agencies, activities, organizations, and
commands established or designated by law, the President, or the Secretary of Defense.
A sailor operates a tractor to carry supplies from the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland onto a landing craft utility at Apra Harbor, Guam. The supplies were bound for Saipan as part of the disaster relief effort following Typhoon Soudelor.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David A. Cox
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
8
Figure 2. Department of Defense Organizational Structure
The Office of the Secretary of Defense
The function of OSD is to assist the Secretary of Defense in carrying out his duties and
responsibilities and other duties as prescribed by law. The OSD is comprised of the Deputy
Secretary of Defense, who also serves as the Chief Management Officer and Chief Operating
Officer; the Under Secretaries of Defense (USDs); the Deputy Chief Management Officer
(DCMO); the General Counsel of the Department of Defense; the Assistant Secretaries of
Defense (ASDs); the Assistants to the Secretary of Defense; the OSD Directors, and their
equivalents; the DoD IG; and the other staff offices within OSD established by law or by the
Secretary.
The OSD Principal Staff Assistants (PSAs) are responsible for the oversight and
formulation of defense strategy and policy (Figure 3).
Secretary
of the Air Force
The
Air
Staff
The
Joint Chiefs
Secretary
of the Navy
Office
of the
Secretary
of the
Navy
Secretary
of the Army
Office
of the
Secretary
of the
Army
Secretary of Defense
Department of Defense
Office of the Inspector General
of the Department of Defense
Department of
the Air Force
Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of
Staff
The
Joint Staff
Department of
the Navy
Office
of the
Chief
of Naval
Operations
Head-
quarters
Marine
Corps
Department of
the Army
The
Army
Staff
The
Navy
The
Marine
Corps
The
Army
Defense
Agencies
DoD Field
Activities
Office
of the
Secretary
of the
Air Force
The
Air Force
Office of the
Secretary of
Defense
Joint Chiefs
of Staff
Deputy
Secretary,
Under
Secretaries, and
Assistant
Secretaries of
Defense; and
other specified
officials
Combatant
Commands
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
9
Figure 3. Office of the Secretary of Defense Principal Staff Assistants
The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff, supported through the Chairman by the Joint Staff, constitute
the immediate military staff of the Secretary of Defense. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consist of
the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval
Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and
the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. The Joint Chiefs of Staff function as the military
advisors to the President, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and
the Secretary of Defense.
Office of the Inspector General
The Office of the Inspector General of the DoD is an independent unit within the
Department that conducts and supervises audits and investigations relating to the
Department’s programs and operations. The DoD IG serves as the principal advisor to the
Secretary of Defense on all audit and criminal investigative matters relating to the
prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse in the programs and operations of the
Department.
DoD Chief
Information
Officer
* Although the IG DoD is statutorily part of OSD and is under the general supervision of the Secretary of Defense,
the Office of the IG DoD (OIG) functions as an independent and objective unit of the Department of Defense
USD
(Acquisition,
Technology, &
Logistics)
USD
(Policy)
USD
(Comptroller)/
Chief Financial
Officer
USD
(Personnel &
Readiness)
USD
(Intelligence)
Inspector
General,
DoD*
Deputy Chief
Management
Officer
Director, Cost
Assessment &
Program
Evaluation
Director,
Operational
Test &
Evaluation
General
Counsel,
DoD
ASD
(Legislative
Affairs)
ATSD
(Public
Affairs)
Director,
Net
Assessment
Deputy Secretary of Defense
Chief Management Officer/
Chief Operating Officer
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
10
Military Departments
The Military Departments consist of the Departments of the Army, the Navy (of which
the Marine Corps is a component), and the Air Force. Upon the declaration of war, if
Congress so directs in the declaration or when the President directs, the U.S. Coast Guard
becomes a special component of the Navy; otherwise, it is part of the
Department of Homeland Security. The three Military Departments organize, staff, train,
equip, and sustain America’s military forces and are composed of the four Military Services
(or five when including the U.S. Coast Guard, when directed). When the President
determines military action is required, these trained and ready forces are assigned or
allocated to a Combatant Command responsible for conducting military operations.
Military Departments include Active and Reserve Components. The Active Component is
composed of units under the authority of the Secretary of Defense manned by active duty
Military Service members. The Reserve Component includes the Reservists of each Military
Service and the National Guard, which has a unique dual mission with both federal and State
responsibilities (Figure 4). When commanded by the Governor of each state or territory, the
National Guard can be called into action during local, statewide, or other emergencies such as
storms, drought, or civil disturbances, and in some cases supporting federal purposes for
training or other duty (non-federalized service).
When ordered to active duty (called into federal service) for national emergencies, units of
the Guard are placed under operational control of the appropriate Combatant Commander. The
Guard and Reserve forces are recognized as indispensable and integral parts of the Nation’s
defense and fully part of the applicable Military Department.
Defense Agencies and DoD Field Activities
Defense Agencies and DoD Field Activities (Figure 5) are established as DoD
Components by law, the President, or the Secretary of Defense to provide, on a DoD-wide
basis, a supply or service activity common to more than one Military Department when it is
more effective, economical, or efficient to do so. While Defense Agencies and DoD Field
Activities fulfill similar functions, the former tend to be larger, normally provide a broader
scope of supplies and services, and can be designated as Combat Support Agencies to
directly support the Combatant Commands. Each of the 20 Defense Agencies and 8 DoD
Field Activities operate under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of
Defense through an OSD Principal Staff Assistant.
Figure 4. Reserve Components: Reserves and National Guard
Federal Missions
United States
Army Reserve
United States
Marine Corps
Reserve
United States
Navy Reserve
United States
Coast Guard
Reserve
United States
Air Force
Reserve
United States
Air National
Guard
United States
Army National
Guard
Federal and State Missions
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Combatant Commands
The Commanders of the Combatant Commands (Figure 6) are responsible for
accomplishing the military missions assigned to them. Combatant Commanders exercise
command authority over assigned and/or allocated forces, as directed by the Secretary of
Figure 5. Defense Agencies and DoD Field Activities
Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat
Agency *
* Nine Defense Agencies are designated as
Combat Support Agencies with joint oversight by
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Secretary of Defense
USD(I)USD(P&R)USD(C)USD(P)USD(AT&L)
GC DoD ATSD(PA) DoD CIO DCMO
Defense AdvancedResearch Projects
Agency
Defense ContractManagement
Agency *
Defense LogisticsAgency *
Missile DefenseAgency
Defense TechnicalInformation
Center
DoD Test Resource
ManagementCenter
Defense Information
SystemsAgency *
Defense SecurityCooperation
Agency
Defense Technology
SecurityAdministration
DefenseContract Audit
Agency
Defense Finance& Accounting
Service
DefenseCommissary
Agency
Defense HealthAgency *
DoD EducationActivity
DefenseIntelligenceAgency *
DoD HumanResources
Activity
NationalGeospatial-IntelligenceAgency *
NationalReconnaissance
Office
National Security Agency/
Central Security Service *
Pentagon ForceProtection
Agency
WashingtonHeadquarters
Services
DefenseMediaActivity
Defense LegalServicesAgency
Defense POW/MIAAccounting
Agency
Defense SecurityService
Defense ThreatReductionAgency *
Office of Economic
Adjustment
Key
DoD Field Activity
Defense Agency
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
12
Defense. The operational chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of
Defense to the Commanders of the Combatant Commands. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff functions within the chain of command by transmitting the orders of the President
or the Secretary of Defense to the Commanders of the Combatant Commands.
The U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), U.S. Transportation Command
(USTRANSCOM), and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) are functional
Combatant Commands, each with unique functions as directed by the President in the
Unified Command Plan. Among Combatant Commands, the USSOCOM has additional
responsibilities and authorities similar to a number of authorities exercised by the Military
Departments and Defense Agencies, including programming, budgeting, acquisition,
training, organizing, equipping, and providing Special Operations Forces, and developing
Special Operations Forces strategy, doctrine, tactics, and procedures. The USSOCOM is
reliant upon the Military Services for common support and base operating support.
In addition to supplying assigned and allocated forces and capabilities to the Combatant
Commands, the Military Departments provide administrative and logistics support by
managing the operational costs and execution of these commands. The USSOCOM is the
only Combatant Command directly receiving Congressional appropriations.
Figure 6. Combatant Commands
B10-04
Six commanders have specific mission objectives for their geographical areas of responsibility:
Three commanders
have worldwide mission
responsibilities, each
focused on a particular
function:United States
Strategic CommandUnited States
Transportation Command
United StatesSpecial Operations
Command
United StatesNorthern Command
United StatesPacific Command
United StatesEuropean Command
United StatesSouthern Command
United StatesAfrica Command
United StatesCentral Command
USNORTHCOM
USEUCOM
USPACOM
USSOUTHCOMUSCENTCOM
USAFRICOM
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
The Deputy Secretary of Defense, as the Department’s Chief Management Officer and
Chief Operating Officer, is responsible for performance improvement in the Defense
Department. Each year, in accordance with public law and OMB regulations1, the
Department develops and tracks performance measures to meet DoD Strategic priorities.
The Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (GPRAMA) of 2010 requires
the development of the Agency Strategic Plan (ASP). The Department’s 2015-2018 ASP
strategic goals are:
Defeat our Adversaries, Deter War, and Defend the Nation;
Sustain a Ready Force to Meet Mission Needs;
Strengthen and Enhance the Health and Effectiveness of the Total Workforce;
Achieve Dominant Capabilities through Innovation and Technical Excellence; and
Reform and Reshape the Defense Institution.
The Department Agency Strategic Plan presents the strategic goals and objectives the
Department aims to accomplish over Fiscal Years (FY) 2015-2018, describing near and
long-term defense performance and priority goals, and the federal cross-agency priority
(CAP) goals the Department contributes toward achieving. The Department will continue to
mature the ASP to better inform internal and external stakeholders, enhance substance for
improved decision-making, planning, alignment of actions, and resources to realize goals
and deal with challenges or risks –
while also addressing requirements
of GPRAMA and the National
Defense Authorization Act of 2008.
The Department’s ASP builds from
the strategic authorities and
direction to align national defense
efforts and resources ultimately
enabling warfighter mission
execution.
This report provides an
executive-level overview of DoD’s
performance through the third
quarter, ending June 30, 2015, with
fiscal year-end results published in
the Annual Performance Report in
the Department’s budget
submission in February 2016.
1 Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) (Public Law 103-62); Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-352); OMB Circular No. A-11, Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget
Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit depart the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) to participate in the ground phase of Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 15 in Subic Bay, Philippines. PHIBLEX is a bilateral training exercise designed to improve the interoperability, readiness, and professional relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps and partner nations.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin Knight
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
14
SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE RESULTS
At the end of the third quarter, 67 percent of the Department’s quarterly performance
measures were on track to meet the annual goals, while 33 percent did not meet third
quarter targets and are considered “at risk” of not achieving their annual targets.
Successes
The Department has been successful in meeting most of the priority measures for third
quarter, FY 2015, including those related to acquisition reform and providing high quality
care to wounded, ill, or injured service members. The Department has maintained its
commitment to taking care of its people and has made considerable improvements in
processing wounded warriors in a timely and effective manner.
Processing Wounded Warriors through the Integrated Disability Evaluation
System (IDES)
Our Nation continues to be
committed to the care and support of
those who keep our country free and
strong. Providing top-quality physical
and psychological care to wounded
warriors and assisting with the
transition to veteran status is a
Department priority. In FY 2015, the
Department continued its work with the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to accelerate the transition of
Wounded, Ill, and Injured Service
members into Veteran status by
reducing the disability evaluation
processing time.
IDES is used to determine if Service
members coping with wounds, injuries, or illnesses that may prevent them from performing
their duties are able to continue serving. IDES is a joint process established by the VA and the
Department that includes a single set of medical examinations and disability ratings. The goal is
to reduce the gap between separation from active duty and receipt of VA benefits and
compensation.
In the area of information technology enhancements, the Department is acquiring a DoD
Disability Evaluation System Information Technology (IT) solution, with a targeted Initial
Operating Capability in FY 2017. This will leverage existing IT capabilities where appropriate,
and include new capabilities to support end-to-end case management, tracking, and reporting,
and to enhance electronic IDES case file transferability within the Military Departments and
interoperability between the Department and VA.
Despite numerous cross-agency challenges, the Department exceeded its IDES
performance measure target in support of the Agency Priority Goals (APG) for the second
U.S. and British athletes compete in the 100-meter sprint at the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 23, 2015.
Photo by Lance Cpl. Terry W. Miller Jr.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
15
(85 percent), third (87 percent) and fourth (87 percent) quarters of FY 2015. The
performance measure combines the outcomes of timeliness for completing Department core
IDES phases, Service member satisfaction with the process, the accuracy and consistency of
Military Department disability determinations, and compliance with administrative
processing requirements.
Reform the DoD Acquisition Process
In the Better Buying Power (BBP) initiative announced in September 2010, and
re-emphasized in the November 2012 memorandum introducing BBP 2.0, the Under Secretary
of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) directed the acquisition
professionals in the Department to deliver better value to the taxpayer and warfighter by
improving the way the Department does business. Next to supporting the Armed Forces at war,
this was the President’s and Secretary of Defense’s highest priority for the Department’s
acquisition professionals. USD(AT&L) pointed out its continuing responsibility to procure the
critical goods and services U.S. Armed Forces need in the years ahead without having
ever-increasing budgets to pay for them. DoD Components have incorporated Better Buying
Power concepts into their policies and practices for the acquisition of weapon systems, goods
and services, instilling a cost-conscious culture and improving the workforce’s ability to adapt
and apply the best approach for each situation. These efforts are informed by ongoing analysis
of numerous aspects of defense acquisition in the annual reports on the Performance of the
Defense Acquisition System. These reports add insight and gauge progress that result in
improvements in APG measures, showing positive trends and areas for further work. On
April 9, 2015, USD(AT&L) announced the next step in the BBP continuum, BBP 3.0, Achieving
Dominant Capabilities through Technical Excellence and Innovation. BBP 3.0 places an
additional emphasis on innovation, technical excellence, and quality of products.
Numerous barriers have impeded the Department’s efforts to increase competition rates
including fewer new programs; budget constraints limiting funding for the purchase of
technical data packages; extended Continuing Resolutions necessitating sole-source
“bridge” contracts to avoid program disruptions; more programs past the stage where
competition is economically viable; and lack of technical data packages and data rights on
prior mature and aging aircraft programs.
DoD Components have incorporated BBP concepts into their acquisition programs,
resulting in sound programs where requirements and resources are matched at program
initiation.
Areas for Improvement
The Department did not meet 33 percent of its third quarter targets for the APG measures,
indicating these are at risk for not achieving annual performance goals. There are improvement
opportunities related to achieving audit-ready financial statements, improving energy
performance, and competitive contracting.
Achieving Audit-Ready Financial Statements
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 mandated that the Department have
audit-ready financial statements by 2017; accordingly, the Department made this requirement
a priority goal. Achieving audit readiness means that the Department has strengthened internal
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
16
controls and improved financial practices, processes, and systems so there is reasonable
confidence the information can withstand review by an independent auditor.
Fiscal Year 2015 was a pivotal year for the Department. Each Military Department began an
Independent Public Accountant (IPA) audit of its General Fund Schedule of Budgetary Activity
(SBA) FY 2015 appropriations. Additionally, most of the material other Defense organizations
(ODO) went under SBA examination or completed mock audits of their current year budgetary
activities. Going under IPA audit or examination is an essential part of the DoD strategy to
achieve full audit readiness and is consistent with the feedback received from the Government
Accountability Office, the DoD Office of the Inspector General, and some members of Congress.
While the Department is in the process of prioritizing the corrective action plans to address the
audit findings, it will continue to focus on preparing the remaining financial statements for audit.
The Department is currently focused on four principal financial statements: Statement of
Budgetary Resources (SBR), Balance Sheet, Statement of Net Cost, and Statement of Changes
in Net Position. To support auditability of the Balance Sheet, the Department established audit
readiness of Mission Critical Assets as a priority. The Mission Critical Assets audit readiness
strategy focuses on financial statement assertions for Existence and Completeness, Valuation,
Presentation and Disclosure, and Rights and Obligations. Resolving existence and completeness
issues is an essential first step to valuing assets and reporting them on the Balance Sheet. The
Department did not meet the Mission Critical Assets target goal due to outstanding policy issues
in establishing an appropriate valuation baseline. The Department is working with the Federal
Accounting Standards Advisory Board to establish a valuation baseline. Fund Balance with
Treasury (FBWT), a material line item on the Balance Sheet, is another indicator as to whether
the Department’s full financial statements will be audit ready by FY 2017. The Department did
not meet the FBWT target due to audit findings related to one Military Service. The SBR is also
an indicator of whether the Department’s full financial statements will be audit ready by
FY 2017. The Department did not meet
the SBR target due to audit findings
related to supporting balances for open
obligations from prior year funds.
For the purposes of the above
indicators, audit readiness is defined as
an individual reporting entity’s
management audit readiness assertions
for FBWT, Existence and Completeness
of Mission Critical Assets, Valuation of
Mission Critical Assets, and SBR to
enable more meaningful and achievable
goals when establishing FY 2016 goals.
The Department is committed to
resolving the audit findings and
achieving and sustaining audit-ready
financial statements.
U.S. sailors and Marines man the rails as they pull into their first port
call of their summer deployment on the amphibious dock landing ship
USS Ashland in Bunbury, Australia, June 29, 2015. The Ashland is
patrolling in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class David Co
.
Photo by Lance Cpl. Terry W. Miller Jr.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Energy
Improving facility energy performance at DoD installations will lower energy costs,
improve energy security, improve mission effectiveness, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Efficiencies will be achieved by reducing the demand for traditional energy. Legislation
mandates a 3 percent annual reduction in facilities energy intensity as measured in British
Thermal Units per gross square foot. The Department has pursued a facility energy
investment strategy designed to
reduce the energy costs and improve
the energy security of our bases.
Despite falling short of the FY 2014
intensity reduction goal of 27 percent,
the Department reduced its energy
intensity by 17.6 percent from the
FY 2003 baseline and improved by
0.4 percent from FY 2013. While the
Department continues to invest in
cost-effective energy efficiency and
conservation measures to improve
goal progress, there will be challenges
in future reductions. Facility energy
metrics are reported on an annual
basis.
Contract Obligations That Are
Competitively Awarded
The Better Buying Power initiatives
advanced by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics are
aimed at achieving greater efficiencies through affordability and cost control. A principal
element in achieving these objectives is the promotion of effective competition. For the third
quarter FY 2015, the Department achieved a competition rate of 52.4 percent against the
third quarter target of 56 percent. Based on current projections, the Department does not
anticipate achieving the FY 2015 goal of 59 percent.
However, USD(AT&L) continues to emphasize the importance of maximizing
opportunities for competitive contracting on a quarterly basis at the Business Senior
Integration Group meetings. In this forum, the Service Acquisition Executives have shared
best practices by describing the approach employed by program executive officers to
identify targets of opportunity.
Looking ahead to next fiscal year, USD(AT&L) will emphasize a transition from targeted
goals based primarily on the percentage increase over prior year actuals, to a forecast
model that projects competition opportunities a year in advance to account for anomalies,
such as the purchase of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. The Director of Defense
Procurement and Acquisition Policy, with Component input, will examine differing
circumstances and projected competitive opportunities to enable more meaningful and
achievable goals when establishing FY 2016 goals.
A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet launches at sunset from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California, July 10, 2015. The aircraft is assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 137.
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chase C. Lacombe
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
18
Summary
The Department is a performance-based organization. As such, the Department is
committed to managing towards specific, measurable goals derived from a defined mission,
using performance data to continually improve operations. The Department has maintained
its commitment to veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce, and commitment to
pursuing improvement opportunities related to acquisition reform and financial audit
readiness.
A soldier assigned to the 982nd Combat Camera Company, rappels down a cliff during Fleet Combat Camera Pacific's Quick Shot 2015 combined joint field training exercise in the Angeles National Forest near Azusa, Calif., Aug. 6, 2015. Quick Shot is a semiannual field exercise designed to train combat camera personnel to operate in a combat environment.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony R. Martinez
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
20
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
The previous sections of this report provide an overview of the Department’s operations
in FY 2015 and a high-level overview of how the Department met its performance goals and
objectives as of the third quarter of FY 2015. The FY 2015 final results for all Department
performance measures will be reported in the Department’s Annual Performance Report,
which will be available in February 2016.
As noted, the Department’s issues in producing auditable financial statements persist,
and management cannot provide unqualified assurance as to the effectiveness of our
internal controls over financial reporting, operations, and financial management systems.
Part of the challenge in successfully passing a financial statement audit lies with the
Department’s unique size and mission. For example, Figure 7 shows the magnitude of
financial activities processed only by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in
FY 2015, and does not include transactions processed by other DoD entities, such as the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the Defense
Health Agency.
Despite our complexities, we continue to
make strides in our efforts towards producing
auditable financial statements. Notably, the
Army, Navy, Air Force, and multiple Defense
Agencies underwent audit in FY 2015 of their
Schedules of Budgetary Activity (SBA), a
precursor to audits of their Statements of
Budgetary Resources (SBR). Also, several DoD
Components have continued to maintain audit
opinions on their full financial statements.
The Department’s Financial Improvement
and Audit Readiness (FIAR) Initiative guides
the Department’s efforts to improve our
financial management and ability to
demonstrate reliable and well-controlled business processes and provide supporting
documentation to auditors in a timely and consistent manner. Through the Managers’
Internal Controls Program, we continue to identify and fix gaps in business practices,
policies, and procedures that could leave room for errors or weaknesses. Additionally, we
continue to replace, update, and consolidate outdated and redundant information
technology systems. New data standards are in place to improve data quality and systems
interoperability. These initiatives are detailed further in this report.
With continued improvements in systems and business processes, the Department can
more readily achieve and sustain the reliability of reported financial information to meet the
timeliness, reliability, and accuracy standards of an independent auditor. Although the
Department has yet to achieve full auditability, we are confident that we know how taxpayer
funds are spent, that employees and vendors are paid timely and appropriately, and that
our overall financial operations are managed soundly in our efforts to protect and defend
the nation.
Figure 7. DFAS Statistics FY 2015
Description FY 2015
Number of Pay Transactions 135.7 million
Number of Commercial Invoices Paid
11.8 million
Number of Travel Payments 5.7 million
Number of General Ledger Accounts managed
190.6 million
Amount Disbursed $477 billion
Amount of Military Retirement and Health Benefits Funds Managed
$834 billion
Foreign Military Sales Cases Reimbursed by Foreign Governments
$455 billion
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
21
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND ANALYSIS
The principal financial statements have been prepared to report the financial position
and results of operations of the Department, pursuant to the requirements of
31 U.S.C. 3515 (b). The statements have been prepared from the accounting records of the
Department in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-136, Financial Reporting Requirements,
and to the extent possible, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (USGAAP) for
Federal entities, and the DoD Financial Management Regulation. The statements, in addition
to supporting financial reports, are used to monitor and control budgetary resources. The
statements should be read with the realization that they are for a component of the
U.S. Government, a sovereign entity.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) prepared the consolidated financial
statements and explanatory notes, located in the Financial Information section of this
report. The principal financial statements include the:
Statement of Budgetary Resources;
Balance Sheet;
Statement of Net Cost; and
Statement of Changes in Net Position.
Statement of Budgetary
Resources
One of the most critical financial
improvement and audit readiness
priorities in the Department involves
the processes, controls, and systems
that support information most often
used to manage the Department,
namely, budgetary resources. The
Statement of Budgetary Resources
(SBR) presents the Department’s total
budgetary resources, their status at
the end of the year, and the
relationship between the budgetary
resources and the outlays made
against them. In accordance with
Federal statutes and implementing
regulations, obligations may be incurred and payments made only to the extent that
budgetary resources are available to cover such items.
As discussed in the DoD Overview Section of this report and as depicted in Figure 8, the
Department’s FY 2015 budget authority total is $560.5 billion. The change in FY 2015
budget authority from FY 2014 is mostly attributable to sequestration actions required by
the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2013.
Figure 8. Trend in DoD Budget Authority
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
22
As shown in Figure 9, the
Department reported $1.1 trillion in
FY 2015 total budgetary resources. The
total appropriations amount of
$720.5 billion, reported on the
Statement of Budgetary Resources,
consists of DoD budget authority and
appropriations provided by the U.S.
Treasury for DoD military retirement and
health benefits. The Department also
receives appropriations to finance civil
work projects managed by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Current year Trust Fund receipts,
including the Military Retirement Fund
and the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health
Care Fund, also are included in the SBR
“Total Appropriations” line. Trust fund
receipts, labeled “Temporarily not
available,” represent budget authority
the Department will execute in future years to pay the current unfunded liabilities carried in
these large funds.
Additional budgetary resources include $176.0 billion of unobligated balances stemming
from prior year budget authority, $102.4 billion in spending authority from offsetting
collections, and $68.3 billion of contract authority.
Of the $1.1 trillion in total budgetary resources, $917.8 billion was obligated and
$887.8 billion of obligations were disbursed. The remaining unobligated budgetary resources
balance relates to appropriations available to cover multi-year investment projects. These
projects require additional time for delivery of goods and services. Expired appropriations
remain available for valid upward adjustments to prior year obligations but are not available
for new obligations.
Figure 9. Composition of DoD Total
Budgetary Resources
FY 2015
($ in billions)
DoD Budget Authority $ 560.5
U.S. Treasury contribution for Military
Retirement and Health Benefits 86.4
Civil Works Projects executed by the
USACE 4.1
Trust Fund Receipts 123.7
Trust Fund Resources Temporarily not
Available (54.2)
Total Appropriations Reported on SBR $ 720.5
Unobligated Budget Authority Brought
Forward from Prior Year 176.0
Spending Authority from Offsetting
Collections 102.4
Contract Authority 68.3
Total Budgetary Resources $ 1,067.2
Description
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
23
Balance Sheet
The Balance Sheet, which reflects the Department’s financial position as of
September 30, 2015, reports probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by
the Department (Assets), claims against those assets (Liabilities), and the difference
between them (Net Position).
The $2.3 trillion in assets shown in Figure 10 represent amounts the Department owns
and manages. Investments, General Property, Plant, and Equipment, and Fund Balance with
Treasury (FBWT) represent 85 percent of the Department’s assets. General Property, Plant,
and Equipment is largely comprised of military equipment and buildings, structures, and
facilities used to support the Department’s mission requirements.
Total Assets increased $57.4 billion (2.6 percent) from FY 2014, largely due to a
$60.9 billion increase in Investments in U.S. Treasury securities. Investments increased
primarily due to normal growth in the Military Retirement Fund. As displayed in Figure 13,
the Department has realized growth in investments over the last several years. The growth
results from investment of contributions from the U.S. Treasury and the Uniformed
Services, net of benefits paid. Under the Department’s current strategy, invested balances
will continue to grow to cover unfunded portions of future benefits. Funds not needed to
cover current benefits were invested in U.S. Treasury Securities.
As seen in Figure 11, the Department’s total liabilities decreased $32 billion during
FY 2015, due to downward adjustments in the estimated actuarial liability associated with
military retiree health care benefits. This change is primarily attributable to changes in the
underlying benefit plan, actuarial assumptions, experience, and expectations used to
calculate the unfunded liability. The Department’s $2.4 trillion of liabilities reported in
FY 2015 are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
Figure 10. Summary of Total Assets
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
24
Figure 12 shows the $1.6 trillion in unfunded liabilities that will require future resources.
The U.S. Treasury is responsible for funding the actuarial liability that existed at the
inception of the military retirement and health care programs. This $1.3 trillion actuarial
liability accounts for approximately 82 percent of the total $1.6 trillion in liabilities not
covered by budgetary resources. The Department has resources available to cover
approximately $724.6 billion of the remaining liabilities, primarily invested in U.S. Treasury
securities. In addition, there are Military Pre-Medicare eligible retiree health benefits
actuarial liabilities of $235.3 million.
Figure 11. Summary of Total Liabilities
Figure 12. Unfunded Liabilities
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
25
Statement of Net Cost
The Statement of Net Cost presents the net cost of all the Department’s programs,
including military retirement benefits. The statement reports total expenses incurred less
revenues earned from external sources to finance those expenses. Generally, the resulting
balance of net cost is equivalent to the outlays reported on the Statement of Budgetary
Resources (SBR), plus accrued liabilities, less the amount of assets purchased and
capitalized on the Balance Sheet. The differences between reported outlays of the budgetary
resources and reported net cost generally arise from when expenses are recognized.
The Department’s costs incurred relate primarily to operations, readiness, and support
activities, military personnel cost, and costs related to the Department’s procurement
programs. These costs were offset with investment earnings and contributions to support
retirement and health benefit requirements, as well as earnings from reimbursed activities.
This activity resulted in $560.6 billion in net cost of operations during the fiscal year.
As depicted in Figure 13, the $560.6 billion in net cost of operations represents a
$79.4 billion decrease (12 percent) from FY 2014 reported net cost. Approximately
$74.5 billion of the decrease is related to the cost for future military retirement and health
care benefits, largely driven by plan amendments, changes in actuarial assumptions, and
other actuarial gains and losses.
Figure 13. Summary of Net Cost of Operations
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
26
Statement of Changes in Net Position
The Statement of Changes in Net Position (SCNP) presents the total cumulative results
of operations since inception and unexpended appropriations at the end of the fiscal year.
The SCNP displays the components of net position separately to enable the user to better
understand the nature of changes to net position as a whole. The statement focuses on how
the net cost of operations as presented on the Statement of Net Cost is financed, as well as
displaying the other items financing the Department’s operations. The Department’s ending
net position increased $89.5 billion during FY 2015. The increase reflects primarily the effect
of the change in projected military retirement and health care benefits.
Financial Performance Summary
The Department’s financial performance is summarized in Figure 14. This table
represents the Department’s condensed financial position, results of operations, and
budgetary resources, and includes comparisons of financial balances from the current year
to the prior year.
Management also relies on information that describes the economic conditions of the
Department that cannot be expressed in the basic financial statements. Required
supplementary stewardship information includes the Department’s investments in
nonfederal physical property and investments in research and development.
Nonfederal Physical Property investments support the purchase, construction, or major
renovation of physical property owned by state and local governments. In addition,
Nonfederal Physical Property investments include federally-owned physical property
transferred to state and local governments. Examples include expenditures supporting the
design, build, and construction services/management for the missions of commercial
navigation, flood/storm damage reduction, hydropower, regulatory, environmental,
recreation, and water supply. Investments in transferred and funded assets for FY 2015
totaled over $1.3 billion.
The Department also invests in research and development to maintain its technological
advantage over potential adversaries, improve the health and welfare of military personal
and their families, and make operational improvements to increase the Department’s overall
efficiency and effectiveness. During FY 2015 the Department made investments in research
and development of over $61 billion, which included investments in basic research, applied
research, and development. Examples of research and development programs included
lightweight energy efficient materials, night vision, global weather patterns, experimental
and operational ships, planes, vehicles, and medical advances for the care and treatment of
wounded warriors and their families.
As noted, the lack of auditable financial data is a limiting factor in the ability of the
Department to explain all material variances presented in the comparative statements.
Nevertheless, the data underlying the amounts is used to manage the Department’s
operations successfully.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
27
Figure 14. Financial Performance Summary
Dollars in Billions FY 2015
Restated
FY 2014 Change % Change
ASSETS
Fund Balance with Treasury $ 467.4 $ 480.4 $ (13.0) -2.7%
Investments 848.0 787.1 60.9 7.7%
Accounts Receivable 7.7 8.0 (0.3) -3.8%
Other Assets 77.3 78.9 (1.6) -2.0%
Inventory and Related Property, Net 261.7 261.5 0.2 0.1%
General Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 630.0 618.8 11.2 1.8%
Total Assets $ 2,292.1 $ 2,234.7 $ 57.4 2.6%
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable $ 20.3 19.9 $ 0.4 2.0%
Other Liabilities 44.3 46.2 (1.9) -4.1%
Military Retirement and Other Federal Employment Benefits
2,302.0 2,334.0 (32.0) -1.4%
Environmental and Disposal Liabilities 60.0 58.6 1.4 2.4%
Total Liabilities $ 2,426.6 $ 2,458.7 $ (32.1) -1.3%
Total Net Position (Assets Minus Liabilities) $ (134.5) $ (224.0) $ 89.5 40.0%
Total Financing Sources 677.0 646.5 30.5 4.7%
Less Net Cost of Operations (560.6) (640.0) 79.4 -12.4%
Net Change of Cumulative Results of Operations 116.4 6.5 109.9 1,690.8%
Total Budgetary Resources $ 1,067.2 $ 1,084.4 $ (17.2) -1.6%
An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft sits on the flightline before morning sorties on Tyndall Air
Force Base, Fla., Sept. 18, 2015. The aircraft is assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard's
180th Fighter Wing.
Ohio National Guard photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES
Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Initiative
The Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) initiative is the Department’s
strategy for achieving and validating audit readiness of all financial statements by
September 30, 2017. Audit readiness means the Department has strengthened internal
controls and improved financial practices, processes, and systems so there is reasonable
confidence the information can withstand an audit by an independent auditor.
Fiscal year (FY) 2015 was a pivotal year for the Department. Each Military Department
began an Independent Public Accountant (IPA) limited-scope audit of its General Fund
Schedule of Budgetary Activity (SBA) for its FY 2015 appropriations. Additionally, most of
the material other Defense organizations (ODO) went under SBA examination or completed
mock audits of their current year budgetary activities. Going under IPA audit or examination
is an essential part of the DoD FIAR strategy and is consistent with the feedback received
from Government Accountability Office (GAO), the DoD Office of the Inspector General
(DoD IG), and some members of Congress. Audits highlight dependencies between
organizations and remaining deficiencies so corrective actions can be implemented and full
audit readiness can be achieved. Going under audit also means an important culture change
is underway, requiring both military and civilian personnel across the Department to learn
and understand the business of being audited.
During FY 2015, about 90 percent of the total DoD General Fund appropriations were
under audit. The remaining General Fund appropriations not currently under audit are
undergoing examinations or audit readiness activities.
U.S Marines and sailors clear a fallen tree during a community service project at an elementary school in Saipan in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor in Garapan, Saipan, Aug. 14, 2015. The Marines are assigned to 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the sailors are assigned to the USS Ashland.
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class David A. Cox
Soldiers help extinguish a small fire while battling the Rocky Fire near Clear Lake, Calif., Aug. 12, 2015. The soldiers are California National Guardsmen assigned to the 578th Brigade Engineer Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 18th Cavalry, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
California Army National Guard photo
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Over the next two years, the Department will continue to expand the scope of audits,
while sustaining a stronger, more disciplined environment, until full audit readiness is
achieved. Lessons learned from other federal agencies suggest that the first years of
auditing the full financial statements will not result in a positive opinion, but the Department
is committed to resolving all issues until a positive opinion can be achieved and sustained.
Figure 15 identifies the Components that were under audit in FY 2015 and their
percentage of the total DoD General Funds (based on FY 2014 total).
Additional information on the FIAR initiative, as well as the Department’s FIAR Plan
Status Reports, is available on the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) website.
Figure 15. General Funds Under Audit in FY 2015
Based on FY 2014 Total Budgetary Resources.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Financial Management Certification Program
The DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program,
sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller), hit full stride in FY 2014. As of September 2015,
over 8,000 members achieved their required certification. The
FM personnel in the Reserve Components transitioned in FY 2015,
and we expect the wave of certifications awarded will increase
steadily throughout the upcoming fiscal year.
The Certification Program is course-based rather than
test-based, with course hour requirements aligned to FM and
leadership competencies and other specific courses, namely,
audit readiness, ethics, and fiscal law. There are three levels of FM Certification, and each
level includes FM experience requirements. The FM workforce members must achieve
certification within two years of assignment to an FM position. After meeting initial
certification requirements, FM personnel must meet continuing education and training
requirements every two years.
When we recognized that the inventory of FM
courses would not be adequate to support a
course-based certification program, the
Comptroller team began to develop FM web-based
training courses in 2012. Currently, 68 of these
courses are available to the workforce, resulting in
improved, cost-free access to training in key,
substantive subject areas.
To date, over 181,000 FM web-based course completions have been recorded and over
29,000 of these course completions are in the Financial Improvement and Audit
Readiness (FIAR) area. This metric’s results indicate that the program is achieving one of its
goals, which is to improve employee knowledge and skills in audit readiness.
As the FM Certification Program matures, the culture of continual professional
development and training for all FM workforce members will become ingrained, proficiency
in technical and leadership subject areas will increase, and support to the warfighters will
keep pace with their needs.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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More Disciplined Use of Resources
Continuing the reform agenda advanced in previous budgets, the Department reviewed
all budgetary areas for potential savings in its “More Disciplined Use of Resources”
campaign. Strategies to realize savings included restructuring the civilian workforce to meet
key needs with fewer personnel; better leveraging of the reserve components; restructuring
military treatment facilities; controlling health care costs by taking advantage of lower
prices for private care; consolidating unintentionally duplicative efforts; reducing
management headquarters staffs; and restructuring or terminating weapons programs and
military construction projects to focus on the most critical capabilities.
As a result of these efforts, the Department proposed approximately $93 billion in cost
reductions from fiscal year (FY) 2015 through FY 2019 in the Department’s Future Year’s
Defense Program (FYDP) supporting the FY 2015 President’s Budget request compared to
the FYDP supporting the FY 2014 President’s Budget. The savings include:
Streamlining Business Practices and Support Services. The Department reduced
$38 billion from the FYDP by streamlining business practices and support services
such as installation and administrative functions, contracting, staffing, and by
implementing initiatives to reduce costs in the health care sector.
Contracting Efficiencies. The Department eliminated $30 billion from the FYDP by
reducing contract support levels commensurate with reductions in force structure,
and by implementing better buying power initiatives in procurement activities.
Terminating or Restructuring Weapons Programs. The Department reduced $9 billion
from the FYDP by identifying and terminating programs in which the most important
capabilities could be met by other means, and restructuring or protracting of
timelines that will still permit the Department to meet the most important strategic
needs.
Manpower or Force Restructuring. The Department eliminated $8 billion across the
FYDP by reducing the civilian workforce commensurate with reduced force structure
levels and reduced workload at depot maintenance activities.
20 Percent Headquarters Reductions. The Department reduced the FYDP by $5 billion
by implementing the Department’s institutional reform efforts to prioritize and
consolidate duplicative efforts and thereby reduce management headquarters staffs.
Restructuring and Delaying Military Construction Projects. The Department
eliminated $4 billion across the FYDP by funding only the most critical facility
requirements and ensuring construction projects are sized to support requirements
needed for the reduced force structure.
The Department remains committed to performing its mission while operating efficiently,
reducing costs, and effectively managing taxpayer dollars. As the military force structure
draws down, the Department will continue to examine other opportunities to streamline
installation support and management overhead to match capacity to the new force
structure.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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INTERNAL CONTROLS OVERVIEW
MANAGERS’ INTERNAL CONTROL PROGRAM
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) leads the Department’s
Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) program, known as the Managers’ Internal
Control Program (MICP). The Department is committed to ensuring effective internal
management controls for all mission-essential processes. The MICP holds both operational
and financial DoD managers accountable to ensure effective internal management controls
in their areas of responsibility. All Components are required to conduct a robust
programmatic approach to establish and assess internal management controls for all
financial and non-financial mission-essential operations. Components that produce
standalone financial statements are also required to provide financial reporting assurance.
The Department advocates a “tone at the top” approach, with emphasis on the
importance of the internal control program, which permeates the entire DoD culture. The
purpose of the MICP is to identify, prioritize, and mitigate high operational and financial risk
before it impedes the mission. Per DoD Instruction 5010.40, each Component uses its
leadership’s mission requirements as a baseline for executing assessments of key functional
operational and financial areas. Instead of relying on external auditors to identify material
control weaknesses, Components rely upon appointed assessable unit managers for each
key operational and financial area to identify and self-report internal control deficiencies for
review and comment by leadership. This process complements the Government
Accountability Office’s (GAO) Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government
(“Green Book”) through the Department’s reliance upon the Risk Enterprise Framework
approach to ensure we prioritize systemic operational and financial risk for corrective action.
Types of Material Weaknesses
The Department’s management uses the following criteria to classify conditions as
material weaknesses:
Merits the attention of the Executive Office of the President and the relevant
Congressional oversight committees;
Hinders management’s ability to prevent or detect a material misstatement of the
financial statements;
Impairs fulfillment of essential operations or mission;
Identified as a “high risk” by GAO or the DoD Inspector General (DoD IG);
High impact of occurrence in terms of loss of dollars and loss of life;
Significantly weakens established safeguards against waste, loss, unauthorized use
or appropriation of funds, property, other assets, or conflicts of interest;
Constitutes substantial noncompliance with laws and regulations;
Nonconformance with government-wide, financial management system
requirements; and
Identified by independent public accountants as material weaknesses.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
33
Based on the Department’s assessment of internal controls, the Deputy Secretary of
Defense has signed the following Statement of Assurance.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
34
FY 2015 Improvements in Internal Controls
Strong internal controls are essential to achieving and sustaining a cost-effective audit
regimen. Despite the many challenges, the Department is steadily improving internal
controls. Some challenges and accomplishments are highlighted below.
1. Intragovernmental Transactions: Intragovernmental transactions result when
business is conducted between two federal entities. Both entities must accurately
record the event so that the buying and selling documentation can be matched.
Imbalances occur when the federal entities are unable to account for and reconcile
differences. These differences often lack proper documentation. To address this
issue, the Department is aligning how it records intragovernmental transactions by
mandating the use of the Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Processing
Platform (IPP). The Department developed standard intragovernmental data
exchange maps to be used by DoD financial systems, creating a common
intragovernmental financial transaction set. Additionally, the Department worked
with the Department of the Treasury and other federal agencies to create a
government-wide data standard for intragovernmental transactions.
2. Charge Card Programs: Stronger controls help the Department identify, correct, and
minimize fraud, waste, and abuse of charge cards. Additionally, limiting the number
of cards in use reduces the number of cards that can be stolen or compromised. The
total number of purchase cards issued in the Department of Defense was reduced by
20,505 this year. Much of this reduction was a direct result of the Army’s
implementation of the Purchase Card Online System (PCOLS), which assisted in the
identification of underutilized cards to remove from operational use. The Department
also aggressively provided oversight of the Purchase Card program, and as a result
recorded 3,325 personnel actions for potential misuse or abuse of purchase cards.
3. Service Provider Integration: A service provider is a DoD Component that performs a
business function or process on behalf of another Component. In order for service
provider customers to become audit ready, a service provider’s audit readiness
activities must be fully integrated with its customers’ audit readiness activities.
Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 16 examinations
are being used to validate the effectiveness of service provider internal controls.
Results of the SSAE No. 16 examinations can then be used by Component customer
financial statement auditors, improving Department-wide efficiency, and saving time
and money. Because successful service providers’ SSAE No. 16 examinations are
essential to their Component customers’ success, the Office of the Under Secretary
of Defense (Comptroller) is expanding service provider integration. DFAS has begun
an SSAE No. 16 for Fund Balance with Treasury (FBWT) and will continue
sustainment of clean opinions on its service provider SSAE No. 16 examinations to
include Civilian Pay, Contract Pay, and Disbursements. In addition, the Defense
Logistics Agency (DLA) received a clean opinion on its Defense Agency Initiative
(DAI) SSAE No. 16 examination.
4. Standard Line of Accounting (SLOA): The Department has lacked a common financial
business language that standardizes data elements, business rules, and the
transaction posting logic used in DoD financial systems. To facilitate reconciliations
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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between systems, the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) began
independent verifications of the Department’s ERPs and key financial systems to
determine system compliance with Standard Financial Information
Structure/Standard Line of Accounting (SFIS/SLOA) data element configuration,
United States Standard General Ledger (USSGL) posting logic, tie-points, and trading
partner interface interoperability standards. Aligned with Federal Information System
Controls Audit Manual (FISCAM) general application and interface controls, the
results of JITC verification provides further insight into the audit readiness status of
DoD systems and findings to remediate as part of audit preparations.
5. Fund Balance with Treasury and Cash Accountability: Unsupported journal vouchers
and unresolved FBWT differences between the Department and the Department of
the Treasury (Treasury) are material and jeopardize achieving audit ready financial
statements. The Department has endorsed a single, auditable enterprise-wide FBWT
solution that aligns with Treasury’s modernization initiatives. The standardized
process was tested with select DoD accounts in the last half of FY 2015. Results of
those tests are being evaluated, and the process is being refined.
A Marine fires a Javelin at a simulated enemy tank during Operation Lava Viper at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, May 29, 2015.
The Marines are assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
Photo by Cpl. Ricky S. Gomez
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
36
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
To successfully achieve and sustain improvements in our internal controls, financial
management, and auditable financial reports, the Department is improving its business
systems. Modernization and improved interoperability of DoD business systems is critical to
efficiently respond to Warfighter needs and sustain public confidence in our stewardship of
taxpayer funds.
Following passage of section 901 of the National Defense Authorization Act2 for FY 2012,
the Department significantly changed the requirements for investment reviews and the
certification of defense business systems, which now must occur before funds (appropriated
or non-appropriated) are obligated. The Department’s investment review process ensures
that decisions on investments in business systems align with the Defense-wide integrated
business strategy (Figure 16). These decisions also include retirement plans for legacy and
non-target financial systems and ensure that systems eliminate redundant activity and
maximize operating efficiency through streamlining business processes and the availability
of timely, accurate, and useful business information.
Figure 16. The Department’s Integrated Business Framework
The Department’s Financial Management (FM) Functional Strategy provides the
Department’s vision, initiatives, goals, target environment, and expected outcomes over the
next five years. The strategy is designed to ensure the Department achieves and sustains
2 Section 901 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2012, codified at 10 U.S.C. 2222, “Defense business systems: architecture, accountability, and modernization”
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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auditability and financial management improvement objectives.
The key components of the FM Functional Strategy include establishing data and data
exchange standards, standard business processes, and system controls and enhancements
that support improved processes, and leveraging technology across the Department’s
end-to-end processes. The primary objectives of the FM Functional Strategy are to achieve a
fully integrated environment linked by standard processes, standard data, with the fewest
number of systems and interfaces. Ultimately, this strategy will lead to stronger internal
controls impacting financial reporting and auditability, and improve end-to-end funds
traceability and linkage between budget and expenditures. Current enterprise-level
initiatives include the Standard Financial Information Structure, the Department’s first-ever
Standard Line of Accounting to improve funds traceability and financial reporting. The
Department also participates in Federal-wide process improvement initiatives, such as
compliance with the President’s transparency and open government initiatives, the
Department of the Treasury’s Government-wide accounting and Direct-to-Treasury
disbursing initiatives, as well as promoting the use of business analytics and maximizing
existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
The FM functional strategy also provides the plans to retire and replace legacy financial
systems to simplify the FM systems environment and infrastructure. Under the legacy
systems reduction plan, financial management core and feeder systems should be reduced
from 327 systems at the beginning of FY 2014 to 120 systems by the end of FY 2019.
Figure 17. DoD Financial Management Improvement Initiatives
FM Standards
& Compliance
Standard Processes
& Systems
Leverage
Technology
Business
Outcomes*
Direct Treasury
Disbursing
Cost
Management
Funds
Distribution
Daily Cash
Reporting
Standard Planning,
Programming,
Budget Execution
Delinquent Debt
Management
Treasury’s Central
Acct. Reporting
System Roll-Out
Sub-Allotment
Execution
Intra/Inter-Govt.
Trans-Invoice
Payment Platform
(IGT / IPP)
Business Results
Maximize and
Leverage ERPs
Shared Services
Standard
Transaction
Broker &
Business Analytics
• Better financial information for
business decisions
• Auditable financial
statements
• Transparency of
financial data
Interoperability among business systems
End-to-end funds traceability and linkage
between budget and expenditures
Stronger Internal Controls impacting
financial reporting and auditability
Compliance with Govt-wide Accounting (GWA) Initiatives
Enterprise Planning, Program Budget &
Exec. (PPBE)
OSD FIAR
Plan
Guidance
Federal Internal
Control Stds.
(SSAE-16)
GAO- Stds for
Internal Control
(FISCAM)
Treasury’s Std.
general ledger
DoD Standard
Fin. Information
Structure
* Aligns with the DoD Strategic Management Plan (SMP)
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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The ERP systems are integral to implementing the strategic FM business process
improvements, achieving the planned target environment and reductions in the number of
legacy systems, and better enabling a sustainable audit environment. The ERPs provide a
broad range of functionality to support DoD business operations in financial management,
supply chain management, logistics, and human resource management. Some ERPs are
fully fielded while others are in a state of development and deployment.
Army ERPs
General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS) is the General Fund accounting, asset
management, and financial system used to standardize, streamline, and share critical data
across the active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve. The GFEBS is a web-
based ERP solution that uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) business enterprise software
to compile and share accurate, up-to-date financial and accounting data.
Logistics Modernization Program (LMP) is one of the world’s largest, fully-integrated
supply chain, maintenance, repair and overhaul, planning, execution, and financial
management systems. The LMP mission is to sustain, monitor, measure, and improve the
modernized, national-level logistics support solution. By modernizing both the systems and
the processes associated with managing the Army’s supply chain at the national and
installation levels, LMP will permit planning, forecasting, and rapid order fulfillment to supply
lines, improved distribution, a reduced theater footprint, and a warfighter who is equipped
and ready to respond to present and future threats.
Global Combat Support System – Army (GCSS-A) provides enterprise-wide visibility into
various logistics areas and is a key enabler for the Army in achieving auditability. The
GCSS-A provides the tactical Warfighter with supply, maintenance, property accountability,
integrated materiel management center, management functionality, and support to tactical
financial processes.
Integrated Personnel Pay System – Army (IPPS-A) is a hybrid solution using ERP
software to deliver an integrated personnel and pay capability. The IPPS-A will provide the
Army with an integrated, multi-Component personnel and pay system which streamlines
Army Human Resources processes, enhances the efficiency and accuracy of Army personnel
and pay procedures, and supports soldiers and their families. The IPPS-A will improve
internal controls to prevent erroneous military payments and loss of funds.
Navy ERPs
Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (Navy ERP) is an integrated business system that
provides streamlined financial, acquisition, and supply chain management to the Navy’s
major systems commands.
Global Combat Support System – Marine Corps (GCSS-MC) is the core web-enabled,
centrally-managed ERP for the Marine Corps. The GCSS-MC is focused on the acquisition
and implementation of the initial set of logistics capabilities to deliver improved supply and
maintenance management services. As the technology centerpiece of the Marine Corps’
overall logistics modernization effort, GCSS-MC will provide advanced expeditionary logistics
capabilities to ensure future combat efficiency.
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Air Force ERPs
The Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System (DEAMS) is an automated
accounting and financial management execution system for the Air Force and
U.S. Transportation Command. DEAMS creates an Air Force enterprise financial data view by
providing an integrated accounting and finance solution to manage appropriated and
working capital funds.
The Air Force Integrated Personnel and Pay System (AF-IPPS) is a comprehensive,
self-service, web-based solution currently in development that integrates personnel and pay
processes into one system and maintains an official member record throughout the airman’s
career. A Federal Financial Management Improvement Act (FFMIA)-compliant system,
AF-IPPS functionality will support audit readiness general and application controls. Full
deployment is not projected until the fourth quarter of FY 2018.
Other Defense Organization ERPs
Defense Agency Initiative (DAI) is a system dedicated to address financial management
improvements through standard end-to-end business processes delivered by commercial
off-the-shelf (COTS) software. The DAI provides accounting, procure to payment, and time
and attendance capability today, and will provide grants financial management and budget
formulation capability in the future. By the end of FY 2017, 22 of 26 Defense Agencies will
have deployed DAI.
Enterprise Business System (EBS) uses a commercial off-the-shelf product to manage
Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) supply chain management business. The EBS also includes
Electronic Procurement, Real Property, Inventory Materiel Management and Stock
Positioning, and Energy Convergence modules, providing DLA leadership with the tools to
respond to new challenges and trends.
Soldiers conduct a raid at an urban terrain training site on Fort Pickett, Va., Aug. 20, 2015.
The Virginia National Guard ran the 14-day long exercise aimed at teaching infantry skills to
non-combat military occupational specialties.
Photo by Sgt. Sean Brady
U.S. Department of Defense Agency Financial Report for FY 2015
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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IMPROPER PAYMENT REPORTING
Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoD FMR) 7000-14-R,
Volume 4, Chapter 14, defines improper payments as “any payment that should not have
been made or was made in an incorrect amount under statutory, contractual,
administrative, or other legally applicable requirements.”
In accordance with the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (IPIA)
(P.L. 107-300); Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010 (IPERA)
(P.L. 111-204); Improper Payment Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of
2012 (IPERIA) (P.L.112-248); Executive Order 13520, Reducing Improper Payments, issued
November 20, 2009; and Appendix C of Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular No. A-123, Defense components are required to report the status of improper
payments and recovery of these improper payments to the President and Congress in the
following categories:
• Commercial Pay
• Civilian Pay
• Military Pay
• Travel Pay
• Military Health Benefits
• Military Retirements
Each Department of Defense disbursing activity is committed to identifying the root
causes of improper payments, establishing an appropriate sampling methodology,
developing and implementing corrective action plans, and monitoring to ensure future
improper payments are reduced and/or eliminated. One recent success:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service revised the statistical sampling methodology
for Commercial Pay improper payments. The revised sampling methodology is more
complex and produces statistically valid improper payment estimates. The population
is separated into quarters and samples are selected from each quarter for review.
The sampling methodology is stratified by dollar amounts consistent with both
Government Accountability Office and DoD IG recommendations.
As the Department moves towards the Congressional 2017 mandate to have fully
auditable financial statements, the reduction and elimination of improper payments will
ensure the Department achieves Congress’ established goal.